‘The doors to hope’ – Sixth Regional Hospital at No. 75 Village commissioned

The No. 75 Village Regional Hospital is the sixth modern health facility to be commissioned in Guyana in recent months, and the final hospital delivered through partnerships with Chinese enterprises.

The new facility marks a historic milestone in the East-Berbice, Corentyne’s healthcare transformation.

At the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony hailed the occasion as a proud moment for Region Six, Guyana, and the future of the nation’s health sector.

“We are not just opening a hospital today. We are opening the doors to hope, healing, and dignity,” Minister Anthony said.

For years, many families in Region Six and other parts of Guyana were forced to travel long distances to access healthcare services. That burden is now being lifted with hospitals in Lima in Region Two, Bath in Region Five, De Kinderen in Region Three, Diamond and Enmore in Region Four, and now No. 75 Village in Region Six.

And on Thursday, Dr Anthony said the journey is far from over.

“We are currently constructing the Mother and Child Hospital at Ogle, along with major upgrades underway at New Amsterdam, Moruca, and Kato hospitals,” he stated.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali delivered the featured address at the ceremony, describing the accomplishment as a promise fulfilled.

“This hospital is not just a building; it represents a closing of critical gaps in our healthcare system,” the President said.

He explained that time is one of the most important factors in healthcare, and with this facility, the need for referrals to New Amsterdam or Georgetown will be the exception rather than the rule.

The head of state also noted that this facility will become part of the region’s medical teaching infrastructure. Within the next three months, all students enrolled in medical programmes will be able to pursue their courses in Berbice.

“Over the next five years, we will transform the healthcare system into one that is world-class, science driven, and patient centered,” the President said.

Meanwhile, significant investments have also been made in human resources with hundreds of registered nurses, nursing assistants, doctors and other healthcare professionals trained and employed.

Additionally, nearly 1,500 nurses are currently in training, with new facilities under construction at Suddie and New Amsterdam to expand capacity.

The government is also embracing innovation by introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into the healthcare system, including tools to read X-rays and other diagnostic images.

In a push for accountability and efficiency, five new medical supply warehouses are also being built, and a national electronic inventory system will be implemented to track every pill, vial, and syringe.